MHCC puts proud feet forward

Commissioner Lynne Coulson Barr and other MHCC staff proudly joined the Victorian Public Sector contingent for Pride March on 31 January.

In the company of the Victorian Premier, the Hon Daniel Andrews MP, and Victoria’s first Commissioner for Gender and Sexuality, Rowena Allen, the group wound its way along Fitzroy Street, St Kilda to a celebration in the Catani Gardens.

A high point of the annual Melbourne Midsumma Festival, the march was a joyful and colourful parade of LGBTIQ organisations, Pride groups, equality campaigners, sporting clubs, political groups, work groups and individuals all flying the flag for diversity.

Commissioner Coulson Barr said it was important for the MHCC to support Pride March because it was clear that heterosexism and other forms of discrimination had a negative impact on the physical and mental health of many LGBTIQ people and affected their access to, and use of, mainstream health services.

‘We want members of the LGBTIQ community to know we are here to help if they have any concerns about public mental health services,’ Commissioner Coulson Barr said.